Gas leaking in interior

[CoachR]

I just bought a 77 Ranger. Drove it home and noticed gas was leaking in the interior at the manual fuel selector valve located directly beneath the driver's seat. How do I fix it?

 

[mudwisr2]

Check for where exactly it's leaking from. If nothing can be tightened up get anew transfer switch

 

[blubuckaroo]

You can easily replace the o-ring on the selector valve. The problem is, it will happen again someday. Take the opportunity to replace it with an electric. It's reliable, won't leak into the carpet, and it's less expensive than a new mechanical. For an added bonus, it stays in sync with the gauge selector switch. http://www.tomsbroncoparts.com/product/electric-fuel-tank-selector-valve

 

[DirtDonk]

Yep. The usual culprit is the seal in the valve. Whether it's an o-ring, a wiper, or just the brass becoming worn, they do eventually leak in most cases.
Of course, it could be a leaking hose at one of the fittings and the gas is just seeping around the bits, but if from the shaft itself, you'll either have to fix or replace the valve.

Has the Bronco been sitting for an extended period? Do you know if it's the original valve?
These things will start to leak anywhere from about 3 to 4 years old, to more than 15 years (mine), but sitting will let rubber-type things dry out and is a common issue.
Things like fuel lines, seals, gaskets, anything that ever sat in oil, gas or water, but was then left to sit unused for an extended period, or just got old, will start to leak on a 36 year old truck.

Good luck. You can still buy the valves (http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Fuel_Tank_Selector_Valve), or you can probably disassemble it and find out if you just need a properly sized o-ring, or if the mating surfaces are still good.
When mine finally went out, I just replaced it with a motorized electrical valve and used the dash switch for the gauges to activate it.



Paul

 

[CoachR]

Thanks, guys. Very helpful information and is much appreciated.

 

[CoachR]

Thanks for the info. Very helpful and is much appreciated!

 

[Buckeye Rob]

I know it is more money but the more I learn about my truck and the rot I decided to just overhaul the whole fuel system. I had bad sending units, a leaky aux tank, and bad hoses so I ripped it all out and went with one 23 gal rear tank with new filler and vent hoses and fuel line and filter.